New York City’s Garbage Containerization Program: Everything You Need to Know
When Does This Start?
The program has already started for some residents. On November 12, 2024, all residential properties in the five boroughs with nine units or fewer must set out their trash for pickup in containers. They can use any waste bin with a secure lid that’s 55 gallons or smaller. Larger buildings don’t have to use the bins because the Department of Sanitation hopes to use built-in, on-street containers in the future.
Can Larger Buildings Start Using Containers?
Yes, they can. They need to comply with the same rules as smaller buildings: 55 gallons or smaller, with a secure lid.
What Happens If I Don’t Follow the Rules?
The sanitation agency says between now and January 2, 2025, is a "warning period." After that, they will start issuing fines for not complying with containerized collection mandates. Fines will start at $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $200 for every offense after that.
Why Do We Have to Do This?
Putting the city’s trash into containers for curbside truck collection has been a dream of waste management reformers for years. Garbage bags offer a feast for rats and can hide dangerous items that hurt the workers who pick up trash. It’s also the standard in every other major city in the country, and many globally.
How Do I Buy an NYC Trash Can?
The Department of Sanitation is nudging New York’s small-property owners toward a new reality: not only do they need to put out trash in containers that are 55 gallons or smaller, but starting in mid-2026, they must use an official NYC Bin, available from the city’s official vendor: Otto Environmental Systems. The bins can be purchased at www.bins.nyc or by calling 1-855-NYC-BINS.
Do You Know If Recyclables Need to Be Binned or Are Those Still OK to Put Out in Bags or — for Things Like Magazines and Newspapers — Bundled and Left Curbside Without Bins?
Recycling does not need to be in a bin. It can still be in a bag — a clear, plastic bag, according to the DSNY’s recycling rules. However, you can put it in a bin if you want, as long as it’s 55 gallons or less with a secure lid and labeled with a recycling decal.
Why Is It So Expensive to Purchase the City’s Garbage Bin? Why Is Anyone Making Money Off These Garbage Bins We Have to Purchase?
The extra cost of buying these bins may be a pricey purchase for many New Yorkers. But relative to similar bins on the market, the NYC Bins are low cost. When THE CITY reported on the company that won the competitively bid concession contract to make the official NYC Bins, the sanitation department said the prices of the bins are a bargain, and far below the estimated $150 retail cost.
How Many Companies Bid to Get the City’s Trash Container Contract?
Three companies bid to get the 10-year concession agreement for the NYC Bins, including Otto. The Department of Sanitation has declined to divulge the identities of the other bidders and directed THE CITY to make a Freedom of Information Law request to obtain public bidding records.
Can Seniors Get a Bin for Free or Discounted?
No, neither the official bin maker nor the sanitation department offers free or discounted bins — for seniors or anyone.
I Have No Room to Store the New Trash Bins. Where Am I Supposed to Put Them?
According to the DSNY: "Bins should be stored inside or in alleyways, courtyards, or other outdoor areas away from public sidewalks. If space is not available, you may store bins within three feet of your building. Containers must be kept neat and allow for pedestrian travel."
How Do We Prevent the Bins from Being Stolen? Will the Garbage Be Collected If the Bins Are Chained?
You can chain up your bins when they are stored, but you cannot leave them chained when it’s time for collection, said Goodman. "The sanitation workers need to be able to move the bin," he said. The official bins will have a few anti-theft elements, including a large white space to write your address, a serial number, and an RFID tag. If your bin is stolen, DSNY says you should do what you would do for any piece of stolen property: file a police report.
Is There a Small or Medium-Sized Bin That Can Be Purchased for a Single Person or One- or Two-Person Family?
The NYC Bins come in only two sizes: a 45-gallon bin ($53.01) and a 35-gallon bin ($45.87). Anything larger would be unwieldy for sanitation workers and anything smaller wouldn’t work for most households, said Goodman of the DSNY.
How Does the Department of Sanitation Plan to Get the New Garbage Bins Picked Up by Outfitted Sanitation Trucks?
The answer is "sanitation workers are experts," says Goodman. If the trucks cannot get close to the curb or bins for some reason, he said, workers can pick up the containers. That is one of the reasons the bins are capped at 55 gallons — to make it possible for workers to maneuver them if needs be.
How Long Do You Think the New Official Garbage Bin Will Last from the Banging and Throwing?
We can’t see the future. But we know how long the Department of Sanitation predicts the new official garbage bin will last: 10 years. That’s the span of the agency’s warranty on the official trash containers.
Conclusion:
The new garbage containerization program in New York City is a significant change for residents and businesses. With the introduction of official NYC Bins, the city is taking a step towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly waste management system. While some may have concerns about the cost and availability of the bins, the Department of Sanitation is committed to making this program a success.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- When does this start? November 12, 2024, for some residents.
- Can larger buildings start using containers? Yes, they can, with the same rules as smaller buildings.
- What happens if I don’t follow the rules? Fines will be issued for non-compliance.
- Why do we have to do this? To reduce trash-related problems and improve waste management.
- How do I buy an NYC Trash Can? From the official vendor, Otto Environmental Systems, or at www.bins.nyc.
- What if I need a smaller bin? The NYC Bins come in only two sizes.
- How do I prevent my bin from being stolen? You can chain it up when stored, but not when it’s time for collection.
- Can seniors get a bin for free or discounted? No, neither the official bin maker nor the sanitation department offers free or discounted bins.
